Description
Greek Chicken emerges as my go-to weeknight dinner when hunger strikes and time runs short. Marinated with zesty herbs and tangy lemon, this simple dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor straight from my kitchen to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3–4 medium pieces)
Main Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Supporting Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Optional: fresh parsley or dill for garnish
Instructions
- Create a flavor-packed marinade by whisking 13 cup Greek yogurt, 14 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, 112 teaspoons dried oregano, 12 teaspoon dried thyme, 12 teaspoon salt, and 14 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Transfer 112 pounds of chicken breasts into a large resealable plastic bag, then pour the marinade completely over the meat. Seal tightly and massage the bag to ensure every inch of chicken gets coated. Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes, though overnight marinating intensifies the flavor.
- For skillet cooking, heat a pan to 375°F with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and place in the hot skillet.
- Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then flip and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Alternatively, bake at 400°F on a lined baking sheet for 20-25 minutes, turning chicken halfway through cooking time.
- After cooking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to preserve moisture. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill if desired.
Notes
- Let the chicken marinate as long as possible to develop deep, rich flavors that penetrate the meat completely.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked without drying out.
- Pat the chicken dry before cooking to help achieve a nice golden-brown crust that seals in moisture and creates delicious caramelization.
- If avoiding dairy, swap Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt or a non-dairy alternative to keep the recipe friendly for lactose-intolerant friends.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 184
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg